Question:medium

The escape speed of an object on the surface of the Earth is \(V\). If the object is thrown out with speed \(4V\) from the surface of the Earth, find the speed of the object far away from the Earth.

Show Hint

Use energy conservation for escape problems: \(\frac{1}{2} m v^2 - \frac{GMm}{r} = \text{constant}\) to find final speed at infinity.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
  • \(3V\)
  • \(\sqrt{15} V\)
  • \(2.5V\)
  • \(\sqrt{8} V\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Frame the problem as excess kinetic energy over the bare minimum needed to escape.
By definition, the escape speed $V$ carries exactly enough kinetic energy per unit mass to cancel the gravitational binding energy at the surface, $\frac{1}{2}V^2 = \frac{GM}{R}$. Anything launched faster than $V$ still has leftover kinetic energy once it reaches infinity, since the binding energy has already been fully paid off.

Step 2: Compute the kinetic energy (per unit mass) supplied at launch.
\[ KE_{\text{launch}} = \frac{1}{2}(4V)^2 = 8V^2 \]

Step 3: Subtract exactly the binding energy, which costs $\frac{1}{2}V^2$ per unit mass, to get what survives at infinity.
\[ \frac{1}{2}v_\infty^2 = 8V^2 - \frac{1}{2}V^2 = \frac{15}{2}V^2 \]

Step 4: Solve for $v_\infty$.
\[ v_\infty^2 = 15V^2 \implies v_\infty = \sqrt{15}\,V \]

Step 5: Conclusion.
\[ \boxed{\sqrt{15}\,V} \]
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